Almost a month has passed since Mia confessed everything, since Donna left for Earth and since Kaya told Aethyta that she accepted a position on Palaven. The sessions Mia has been attending have been good though her mood ranges from good to sour to fine to horrible all within the same day. Shepard has been worried about her and Liara has locked herself away in the secure room most of the time. She does not want to face how she is treating her daughter. Shepard finally told her that she was acting like a child, something Liara was not prepared to hear.

The Shadow Broker is up late again in the secure room making sure she is keeping tabs on everything. She cannot let anything distract her from her work at least that is what Liara tells herself. The asari is having a hard time keeping her eyes open and her tea has gone cold. She looks at the time, 2 AM, it's time to turn in. Liara grabs her cup of half-filled tea and leaves the secure room. She hears a scream coming from upstairs. Liara drops her cup and rushes toward the sound.

Her heart is pounding when she hears another scream; it is coming from Mia's room. She opens the door to see Mia scream again then fall out of her bed. Liara rushes to her daughter's side, "Mia?" She is not sure if her daughter is still awake or trapped in a nightmare. "Mia honey?"

Mia is on her side, her back is facing Liara. Liara can see she is shivering, hugging herself away from what she just saw. "Mia can you hear me?"

"Get away from me."

The voice is so low and full of anger Liara freezes. It doesn't sound like Mia at all. "Are you awake?"

"What do you care?" Mia slowly gets up on her knees.

"I care Mia."

"Liar. Get out."

Liara slowly stands. She turns on the light. Mia's bed looks like a tornado hit it and her daughter is shivering. "Mia…I…"

"Are you deaf!" Mia stands on shaky legs. "I said get out!"

Liara does not move. She sees her daughter's hands fisted at her sides. She sees the turmoil that is playing across her face. "I'm not leaving Mia," she says in a calm icy tone.

"Then I will." Mia starts to walk past Liara but the Shadow Broker grabs her upper arm and stops her. Mia quickly pulls away causing her to get off balance and slam into the side of the door jamb with an oomph. She quickly grabs her shoulder.

"Mia please."

"I said get out!"

"Whoa whoa whoa," says Shepard, "what is going on here?" Shepard's auburn hair is disheveled; she wipes a strand from her forehead as her eyes take in the situation. "Liara?"

"Mia was screaming so I came up here to see if she was all right." She looks at Mia and sees her daughter roll her eyes.

"Okay," Shepard draws out the word. "Mia? Are you all right?"

Mia is still holding onto her shoulder, "Fine."

"Uh huh. Well I'm convinced," says Shepard sarcastically.

Mia and Liara remain quiet. Mia is glaring at her mother and Liara is looking anywhere other than the two of them.

Shepard sighs, "You two need to talk."

"No thanks," snarls Mia.

"Enough!"

Mia and Liara both flinch at the tone of Shepard's voice. Neither of them has heard that tone in decades.

Shepard leans against the door jamb. Liara can see that the human's hip is bothering her. In a quiet, calm voice far scarier than her harsh one, she says, "Please talk to each other."

Liara dares to look her bondmate in the eye and she sees a silent plea. Shepard mouths the word please. Liara swallows then nods her head.

"Good night." Shepard limps away.

Liara tries to calm her racing heart and mind. She gestures to the bed, "Please Mia."

Mia rubs her shoulder then sulks to her bed. She sits down in the middle of it and glares at her mother.

Liara grabs the chair from Mia's desk and sits facing the bed.

Liara sighs then begins. "What did I do Mia that made you afraid to ask for help?"

Mia gives her a surprised look then it turns angry. "What are you talking about?"

"When you were attacked outside of that bar and grill, why didn't you call us when you were recovering?"

Mia narrows her eyes at her.

"What did I do that made you feel that you couldn't call home?" Liara's throat suddenly tightens. She swallows hoping it will help.

"It wasn't you Mom, I already told you that."

Liara does not like this answer, she never has. There has to be more to it. "It doesn't make sense Mia."

"Come on." Mia sighs in frustration. "It isn't your fault. Is that what you want to hear? I made a mistake!"

"Please don't raise your voice to me."

Mia scoffs and rolls her eyes. She stands up and starts to pace. "This isn't about you Mom. My choices are not your fault."

"But how you learn to cope is a testament to how your father and I raised you."

"What is the point of this? You want to blame yourself is that it? Is that why you hate me so much?" Mia crosses her arms over her chest, a protective stance.

Liara slowly stands, "I do not hate you Mia."

"You sure about that? You haven't said two words to me in the last month."

"That is not true."

"Mom. The way you look at me, it's like you can't stand to be in the same room with me. You leave every chance you get. Do you know how much that hurts?"

"Don't talk to me about hurt!" Liara points her finger at Mia. Her hand is shaking. "You have no idea the pain you put me through Mia! I had no idea what you were going through, no idea how you felt. It's like you just vanished without explanation you were gone. Don't you think I knew what was happening?"

"What?"

"I saw you! I tracked your movements. I knew what you were doing and I kept waiting and waiting for you to call for help. I tried to call you. I called you so many times and you just ignored me. You ignored me Mia. It's like you shut a door I didn't even knew existed. It was like we didn't matter to you anymore. How could you do that?" Liara's palms are sweating and her heart is racing.

"You knew? You knew I was addicted to red sand?"

"That is not the only thing you are addicted to is it Mia?"

Mia flinches as if physically struck.

"All of the men, the women." Liara looks away from her daughter.

The silence grows between them, a huge crevasse that cannot be jumped.

"If you knew why didn't the rest of the family know too?" Mia asks in a whisper.

"It wasn't my place to tell them." Liara's eyes burn but she quickly blinks back the tears. "Do you have any idea what it's like to love something so deeply only to be ignored and thrown away like a piece of trash? I figured if I just kept working, kept occupying my mind I would not think about you anymore, but it never worked. I thought about you every day Mia, every single day wondering if you would end up dead. I checked news outlets and my contacts on Earth just to see if you were okay. Of course I didn't start doing that until after your attack which is why I never knew about it. Then I kept asking myself what did I do? What did I do to make you so afraid to tell us? I thought we had an open relationship Mia. I thought you could tell me anything."

Mia slowly sits on the edge of the bed. "I was ashamed."

Liara sits in the chair. "Did you think we would disown you? Or ignore you as you ignored us?"

Mia shuts her eyes and sighs. "I didn't know how to ask."

Liara waits. Her heartbeat is finally settling to its normal rhythm.

"I can't explain the need to have it Mom. It's like a hunger that is never sated. I couldn't think of anything else. I went through the motions on the field doing just the minimal amount necessary then I would leave the field and call Clay. A lot of it is a blur. I can tell you this Mom; I did not do this to hurt you. I didn't wake up one day and say hey I am going to get addicted to red sand just to spite my mother."

"Mia."

"No Mom. I don't see how you can use my addiction to something that hurts you. I get that I hurt you by not returning your calls, I get that. But to take the blame because I got addicted, that is your issue not mine. And I'm sorry I hurt you I really am. But I am sick and tired of you treating me like a person you cannot stand to see or be in the same room with. And if you knew," Mia stands and looks down at her mother, "if you knew I was addicted to drugs and using sex to escape, why the hell didn't you come and get me?"

Liara looks away.

"I know the reason. You were just as ashamed of me as I was of myself. Weren't you?"

Liara does not reply.

"Weren't you!"

Liara stands, "Yes! Are you happy now? Yes!"

Mia backs up until her back is against the wall. She turns and rushes down the hall.

"Mia!" Liara runs after her.

"What's going on?" says Shepard as Liara runs toward the open back patio door. Liara doesn't stop to explain she runs outside.

"Mia!"

Thankfully the moon light is bright though Liara can only see shadows. She sees the trees rustling in the wind, it feels like rain. She sees a figure running toward the path that leads into the woods. "Mia!" Liara runs after her.

As she nears the path Liara produces a small biotic ball that acts as a flash light for her. It hovers just in front of her so she can see where to place her feet and not fall. She has shoes on, but her daughter doesn't. "Mia! Please stop!"

"Liara?"

Liara hears Shepard behind her but she does not stop to help her, she can't, she has to get to Mia. "Mia!"

Liara hears a branches breaking up ahead then a thud. She is close and closing. She sends the biotic ball up ahead as a spotlight while producing another one to light her path. She hears a moan then stops. She can hear her heart beating in her ears. She tries to calm down so she can hear Mia. "Mia?" She hears it again, a soft cry.

Liara hurries toward the sound. She slows when her biotic spotlight catches Mia. She keeps the light in place. Her daughter is sitting on the ground with her back against a tree. Her left leg is bent the other is straight out. Her daughter's face is contorted in pain.

"Mia?" Liara slowly approaches. Mia is breathing rapidly. Her hand is holding her right thigh. Liara moves her biotic ball acting as a flashlight to the other side of Mia. Liara gasps as she sees a small stick protruding from Mia's leg. "Don't touch it." She kneels next to Mia.

"Leave me alone." Mia tries to back away but she cries out in pain at the movement.

"Stop moving."

"Why don't you just go over there and observe but not do anything about it. You're good at that."

Liara doesn't blame the hate filled words, she deserves it.

"I said leave me alone!" Mia slaps at her mother's hand crying out again as her leg is jostled.

"Fine." Liara backs away and sits down. "Do it yourself. I know how difficult it is for you to ask for help."

"I did ask for help! You were there!" Mia rests against the tree as she holds her thigh.

"Three years later…"

"So what! Who cares if it took that long as long as I finally asked? Isn't that the point? To finally ask?" Mia winces. She holds her thigh tighter.

Liara feels the heat behind her eyes, this time she lets the tears fall. She gets up on her knees and waits.

"I told you I was sorry. I don't know what more I can do. I'm …" Mia moans, "I'm sorry I hurt you Mom. I'm sorry. I…I didn't want …"

Liara moves a little closer. "Didn't want what?"

"I didn't want to tell you what was going on because that would mean I would have to face it. I didn't want to face what I was doing to myself. I…" Mia winces again, her breath hisses through clenched teeth. "I can't even meld."

Liara has made it to Mia's side now. "What?"

"I can't do it."

Liara's heart breaks for her daughter. How could she be so stupid, so cold and callous? Hasn't her daughter been through enough already? Does she really need to hold a grudge or is it guilt that she is holding on to? Guilt for not flying to Earth when she saw on security camera footage what Mia was doing? Guild because she never told her bondmate about their daughter. Is she becoming like her Mother? Cold and calculating, a woman who wanted, no demanded perfection? No, it cannot be, Liara is not that person.

"Mom? Are you okay?"

Liara looks up through tears at her daughter, "Oh Mia I am so sorry, can you ever forgive me?" She takes Mia's hand into her own. "I should have come to Earth the minute I suspected something was wrong. I should have forced you to listen to reason. I couldn't tell for sure that you were addicted to red sand Mia, I only suspected because of the clubs you were hanging out at. I …I should have…."

"Mom, Mom look at me."

Liara shakes her head.

"Mom."

Liara finally looks her daughter in the eye.

"When have you been able to force me into anything?" Mia's lips turn up into a smirk.

Liara laughs then Mia laughs which makes her wince in pain.

"Can you take this thing out of me please?"

Liara looks at her thigh. There is a small stick stuck deep into Mia's flesh. She takes this time to check over Mia. She has scratches up and down both arms; a few scratches on her neck and her bare feet are bleeding.

"I'm a bit of a mess aren't I, in more ways than one?"

Liara looks at her daughter wondering how she can use humor at a time like this. "You remind me so much of your father. I…I can't take this out here Mia. I don't have any medi-gel. I don't even have my omni-tool. I will have to carry you back."

"Okay."

Liara cups her daughter's cheek in her hand, "I am sorry I hurt you Mia. I should have flown to Earth."

"Mom, the state I was in I would have slammed the door in your face. I wasn't ready to get help; I certainly would not have accepted it."

"Can you please forgive me?"

Mia places her hand over her mother's, "If you can forgive me."

Liara nods then gently hugs her. Liara kisses Mia's forehead then stands up. Blue light forms around both hands. She gently wraps the blue light around Mia then lifts. "You okay?"

"Yes."

Slowly, Liara walks and carries her daughter back along the path toward the main house. When they approach the back of the house Liara sees Shepard limp down the deck stairs. "What happened?"

"I'm okay Dad."

"Like hell. What happened?"

"I fell."

"Yeah? Why were you out there in the first place?"

Liara swallows.

"Liara?"

"Will you get the door please Elly? Liara carefully moves Mia across the threshold. She brings her daughter to the master bathroom. "Will you get the medi-gel Elly?"

Shepard hands Liara the medi-gel then places a wash cloth under the water in the sink. She wrings it out and hands it to her blue beauty.

"Thank you." Liara looks at the stick protruding from Mia's thigh. She runs a scan since she has her omni-tool now. "That's good."

"What?" Shepard and Mia ask in unison.

"Nothing vital was hit." Liara's hand shakes as it reaches toward stick.

"I got it." Shepard moves to Mia's side. "On three okay sport?"

Mia grips the side of the toilet lid but there is nothing to grip, so she just grabs her pajama shirt and squeezes with both hands bracing for the pain.

"One….two" Shepard pulls the stick in one swift movement.

"Ahh! Mia yells, "What happened to three?"

Liara quickly covers the wound with the wet cloth.

"It's out isn't it," Shepard flashes her sly grin. She grabs a bandage and hands it to Liara. Liara gives her the bloody cloth. Shepard rinses it out.

Liara lathers on the medi-gel then takes a fresh bandage from Shepard and wraps Mia's leg. Next she checks Mia's feet. There are a few cuts on the soles of her feet but nothing serious and nothing protruding from them.

Mia watched her mother and father take great care of her. They worked together like a well-oiled machine. Her mother never had to ask what she needed next, her father just handed it to her. It was amazing to watch.

After Mia's wounds were patched up Shepard finally broke the silence. "What happened to make you run out?"

"I just thought I would go for a midnight run."

Liara and Shepard both look at her. All three start to laugh.

"Okay fine, don't tell me." Shepard squeezes Liara's shoulder then kisses Mia's forehead. "I'm going back to bed."

Liara sighs then cleans up the small mess of bloody bandages. "I can carry you to your room."

"I'd like that."

Liara smiles at her daughter. She lifts her with her biotics and carries her upstairs and gently sets her on the bed.

"Do you have other pajamas?"

"No. Can you hand me a T-Shirt?" Mia points to a drawer. Liara grabs one and shows it to Mia who nods. Liara hands it to her and turns her back.

"Do you want a washcloth and towel?"

"If you wouldn't mind."

Liara enters the bathroom and wets the cloth. Mia exerted herself and wants to wipe down before getting back into bed. She hands Mia the wet cloth and towel then waits with her back turned.

"Okay, done. Thanks."

Liara takes the cloth, towel and pajamas and sets them in the hallway then sits on the side of the bed. "How do you feel?"

"The leg will be fine."

"I wasn't talking about your leg."

Mia smiles a little.

"I am so sorry for how I have been treating you Mia."

"It's okay."

"No it isn't. You bared your sole and all I gave you was resistance. I don't know what I was thinking."

Mia chuckles.

"What?"

"I really thought Raina would hold the grudge not you. I didn't realize how much I hurt you. I'm sorry. Do…do you think we can start over?"

Liara takes her hand, "I'd like that very much."

"Me too."

"I would like to show you something Mia."

Mia takes her hand away, "No. No I can't."

"You can. Let me guide you honey."

Mia shakes her head, "I can't. Please don't make me."

Liara touches her uninjured leg through the blankets, "I won't make you do anything Mia."

"I'm tired Mom."

Liara wants to meld with her daughter to show her a peaceful place. She did not know that Mia was so terrified of melding. Another thing she missed. "Okay." Liara stands.

"Mom?"

"Yes honey?"

"Do you think maybe we could go out to lunch later today after my morning sessions?"

"Sure."

Mia's face lights up. It is something Liara has missed. She didn't know how much until this moment. "Okay great, thanks."

Liara bends over and kisses Mia on the forehead. "Sleep well."

"Love you Mom."

"Love you too Mia. Good night."